Did you know that a growing number of kids across 14 state schools in Queensland have taken interest in mastering the uniqueness of Australian Sign Language? Based on this trend, the new Ripley Central State School will teach Auslan classes from Prep to Year 6.
The new primary school will mark its commencement for Term 1 2023 with a unique curriculum for Languages.
“Our Year 5 and 6 students will follow the Australian Curriculum achievement standard and will be assessed with their achievement reported in their semester report cards,” the school stated. “Our Prep to Year 4 students will also have weekly lessons, however, these will not be assessed.”
According to the Queensland Department of Education, the number of students learning Auslan doubled in 2020. Aside from Ripley Central State School, Our Lady’s College in Annerley will be the first Catholic school in Brisbane to offer the language class for 2023.
For non-students, Deaf Connect has also noticed a steady rise in Auslan learners who are joining community classes or accredited training courses.
Mike Webb, a familiar Auslan interpreter for the Queensland government’s public conferences, welcomes these developments. He added that it is pretty special to be recognised and approached in public by children who want to learn to sign and know more about his work.
Deaf kids are especially inspired to see Mr Webb and understand that they could have the same opportunities despite their disability.
The Auslan interpreter learned before he could speak through his deaf parents. He has a number of family members from both sides who are a major part of the deaf community in Adelaide. His grandparents, Elaine and Gilbert Girke, founded Deaf Australia (formerly the Australian Association of the Deaf).